(Newser)
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Sen. Jim Bunning apologized to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for saying he believes she is likely to die in less than a year from pancreatic cancer. The Kentucky Republican said over the weekend that Ginsburg has the type of cancer that is usually fatal within 9 months. In a statement released today, he said that it wasn't his intent to offend Ginsburg with the remarks and apologizes if he did.

Ginsburg returned to the bench today, and Bunning says it is great to see her back at work. The two-term senator's remarks came in the context of discussing the need to push for a conservative judge next time there's an opening, which he expected to happen "very shortly," given Ginsburg's prognosis, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. Doctors removed a small tumor this month from the 75-year-old Ginsburg.